bottle feeding fawn

We have been raising deer for several years now, but this is the first time we are going to bottle feed fawns. So I have lots of questions. What kind of replacement milk do we use? What kind of bottle and nipple? How often do I feed? I am sure I missed some questions so if there is anything that I will need to know that I did not ask please let me know. I appreciate any help that anyone can give me.

There are a lot of milk replacers on the market & somewhere on here is a long thread about the different kinds. I would start off with your choice bottle size & nipple type but be prepared to change if needed. I like to keep a box with all the different nipple types out there for when you get that fawn who's picky. There are too many different feed schedules to list. It will depend on how long you're going to bottle feed, when you introduce pellets, size of the fawn(s), size of the bottle being used and I'm sure a few other things specific to your program. Best thing is to read all the info on old threads and talk to other bottle raisers, even have someone come look over your nursery set up for advice. Good luck!

Traci

To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to do. Kahil Gibran

we use goat milk but was told we can use whole milk from the store havent dont it yet but will try thid year the person that told me that has used it with no trouble and its alot easier to get then goat milk and we use 20oz soda bottles with lamb nipples that you can get at a feed store. check other forms as there is so much to learn from everyone. good luck to everyone this year
Nick

After raiser, give me a call sometime ill be more than happy to go over some things with you. Your in PA also so maybe you can come check out our fawn facility if you need some ideas. My number is 717-789-3582. I look forward to hearing from you.

We have been raising deer for several years now, but this is the first time we are going to bottle feed fawns. So I have lots of questions. What kind of replacement milk do we use? What kind of bottle and nipple? How often do I feed? I am sure I missed some questions so if there is anything that I will need to know that I did not ask please let me know. I appreciate any help that anyone can give me.

I am in Pennsylvania and we sell bottles, teets, milk replacer, tags, you name. Give me a call and I will do my best to assist you.

Why would you start to bottle feed fawns now after several years without.
What are your objctives?
It has been my experience that bottle raised do not thrive as well as dam raised.
This has been my experience with several species other than whitetail.
Ive been pondering this question for several months & can only find a few benefits for very specific animals & reasons.
I have a few, but they are more employees than stock.They calm the others,but only need replacing every 10 to 12 years.
Cheers Sharkey

We had one doe that was our pet. She was just like a child always wanted her ears rubbed liked to be brushed when she was shedding. Then last fall one of our bucks decided she didn't need to be there anymore and he gored her to death. Now I want another tame deer that will be like she was and I figure if I bottle feed and bond with one we will have a friendly deer again. I may be wrong about that but I am going to try.

antler is right, thats a good reason to do it...there is plenty of good milk out there, I personally use zoologic but you have to make sure you keep the concentration and temperature consistent. As for the bottles, that is up to your personal preference..the nipples typically be up the the fawns preferenece though.

We have been raising deer for several years now, but this is the first time we are going to bottle feed fawns. So I have lots of questions. What kind of replacement milk do we use? What kind of bottle and nipple? How often do I feed? I am sure I missed some questions so if there is anything that I will need to know that I did not ask please let me know. I appreciate any help that anyone can give me.

Antler Raiser, sorry about the loss of your pet deer. I would recommend in the future to cut off your breeder bucks antlers. It is very apt to happen again, especially with that same buck. Some bucks may be ok not to cut off, but I believe that most need to be cut off, even the year olds that one would think might not be 'man' enough to get the attitude. I have never left a breeding bucks antlers on, and have ALWAYS seen evidence to make me glad I took them off. Bottle feeding for a pet: I would recommend that you pull the fawn at 6 to no more than 12 hours old, and do more with your fawn than just bottle feed. It takes lots of love/attention to get one to be dog tame. I have many bottle feds that I can't pet. The tamest ones I have are the ones we raised in the house, not saying you should/need to do that extreme, but they do need alot of attention. If you are looking for tameness, then this is certainly a case where you only get out of it what you put into it. Good Luck